On Monday, June 1, President Niels-Erik Andreasen gave faculty and staff his regular post-meeting briefing following the spring meeting of the Andrews University Board of Trustees.

Don Livesay, president of the Lake Union Conference and the Board vice-chair, chaired the meeting. Elder Gerry Karst, who typically chairs the meetings, was unable to attend. President Niels-Erik’s report to the Board focused on recent trends in higher education across the country. Private sector admissions increases are just a whisker away from the admissions here at Andrews University, recapped Andreasen.

Andreasen also gave a report on behalf of Provost Heather Knight, who was also unable to attend. Knight’s report updated the Board on the recent NCA accreditation visit. Next week, noted Andreasen, is the last of the five site visits. The NCA site visit committee chair will return the first week of August to give their final report.

Stephen Payne, vice president of Enrollment Management and Integrated Marketing & Communication, gave an enrollment update. To date, FTIAC’s (First Time in Any College) are up 7 percent and applications are up 9 percent compared to this time last year.

The Board approved bylaws for a new corporation: the Center for Youth Evangelism (CYE) under the directorship of Ron Whitehead. While the CYE isn’t a new entity on campus, it was necessary to establish it as a corporation, mainly for business and accounting purposes. The Board also voted to establish a quasi-endowment of $750,000 in support of CYE. On a side note, the CYE, organizer for the 2009 Courage to Stand Pathfinder Camporee, expects 35,255 Pathfinders to attend this year’s Camporee in Oshkosh, Wis.

The University financial report was given by Larry Schalk, vice president for Financial Administration. Even though the 2008–09 school year had a very high enrollment, benefit costs were up approximately $1 million and there was missing interest revenue due to a drop in milk prices. These losses were balanced out by the increased enrollment revenues, resulting with April ending on budget.

There was discussion, said Andreasen, regarding the financial position sheet and the cash position of the University. An action was recommended and voted that additional revenue for the University would be split 75/25: 75 percent would be dedicated to cash or debt reduction and 25 percent would be used for operations. The Board also approved the requirement for the signature of the University’s chief financial officer for the Federal Surplus Assistance Program.

Several capital requests were voted and approved, including new carpet in Lamson Hall ($136,000); new windows ($104,000) and new furniture ($140,000) for Meier Hall; fuel tanks for Transportation ($104,000); and a stage for the Center for Youth Evangelism ($253,000).

The board also approved the Red Flag Identity Theft Protection Program to keep students and others on campus from having their identity stolen. As a recipient of federal grants from the government, the University is required to participate.

The next subject of discussion and action was based on a recommendation made at the beginning of this month by the President’s Council to the board regarding capital development at the University. The President’s Council has been discussing for some time areas of priority for the University, including a focus on undergraduate students and housing for female students. The President’s Council recommended Andrews University work on a housing plan and proceed on the Nethery/Buller Hall plan. As a result, the Board voted and approved the following actions: 1. Excess revenue split 75/25—75 percent for cash/debt reduction and 25 percent for operations. 2. Establish an internal taskforce to bring recommendations on how to respond to housing needs. This taskforce will be expected to make a report to the Board at their October meeting. 3. Begin the Nethery/Buller Hall project incrementally, with the first step being new windows and plumbing in Nethery Hall. 4. Authorization to develop construction plans for Buller Hall. The proposal will require further action at the October board meeting.The trigger for all of the above will be the fall 2009 enrollment, which is expected to be equal to or greater than fall 2008.

A number of faculty and staff appointments, and retirements were also voted and approved by the Board.

RetirementsG. William Mutch, professor of chemistry, 38 years of service; Patricia Mutch, professor of nutrition, 40 years of service; Derrick Proctor, professor of psychology, 39 years of service; Wanda Sheppler, chemical analyst, 18 years of service.